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‘Go to hell’, Eduardo tells journalists

BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 4 — Was the Government trying to suppress the voice of NRGs attending the three-day Global Goans’ convention 2007?
While the open session on day-two started at 3.45 pm at the Secretariat in Porvorim, members of the media, surprisingly, were not allowed to attend the session.
Media persons were disappointed at not being let in to cover the session that was to highlight the grievances of NRGs and assurances made by the Government. “Why is the Government trying to suppress the voice of NRIs?,” questioned journalists who were standing outside the conference hall guarded by security personnel.

Members of the press and electronic media who tried to enter the conference hall through the back door were stopped by security personnel.
It was also shocking to hear NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro say to the media: “Go to hell...close the door. This is a private meeting.”

With no other alternative in sight, the media-persons were forced to move away. The issues that were discussed at the two-hour session still remain in the dark. The few NRGs who could be contacted told reporters that the session comprised long speeches and power-point presentations by the ministers. There was very little time for the NRGs to voice their grievances.

An Australia-based NRG told Herald that the idea of organising such a convention was good, but there are doubts whether the Government would follow up on the grievances of the NRGs and if there would be any improvement.

Another NRG from Hong Kong said that the only assurance made by the ministers was that they would look into the problems. Minister for IT and Health Dayanand Narvekar, Industries and Education Minister Luizinho Faleiro and Minister for Panchayati Raj Subhash Shirodkar were also present.

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‘Go to hell’, Eduardo tells journalists

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